Located in Little Italy, DaNico is one of four restaurants in Toronto and the surrounding area to earn a Michelin star this year.Valentyna Tretiak/Supplied
These days, thanks to The Bear and the TV show’s fictional chef Carmy’s obsessive pursuit of a star (or two or three), the Michelin Guide seems to be on everyone’s minds.
The culinary equivalent of an Academy Award, Michelin stars can catapult a restaurant into a new level of fame, leading to sold-out seatings and months-long waiting lists for reservations. And now Toronto diners can experience that level of excellence at even more restaurants in the city – and this year, even beyond the downtown core.
For the third year in a row, the Michelin Guide, which yes, is put out by the French tire company, has bestowed four new restaurants in Toronto and its outskirts with the coveted stars. This is the first time the guide has expanded outside the city limits, with restaurants located up to two hours away.
Although Toronto has become a high-profile destination for high-end restaurants, most recently with the openings of Nobu and Mott 32, there’s no shortage of excellent, moderately-priced restaurants too. The Michelin Guide also awarded four such restaurants with the Bib Gourmand, which it described as a distinction recognizing “eateries for great food at a great value.”
The Toronto region now holds 15 restaurants with one Michelin star, and one restaurant with two stars, Sushi Masaki Saito. There are 23 eateries with the Bib Gourmand recognition.
Here’s a look at the newest additions.
One star
DaNico
Type of cuisine: Italian
Chef: Daniele Corona
Neighbourhood: Little Italy (440 College St.)
What the Michelin inspectors said: “Chef/partner Daniele Corona cooks Italian food with a global influence: wild Pacific crab served over thin, noodle-like vegetables, garnished with trout roe, and finished tableside with a Sicilian green olive coulis. And house-made basil bottini filled with smoked burrata is nestled in a creamy sauce for a dish that delivers dialed-in flavor.”
The Michelin inspectors said DaNico serves Italian with a global influence.Valentyna Tretiak/Supplied
Hexagon
Type of cuisine: Contemporary
Chef: Rafael Covarrubias
Region: Oakville (210 Lakeshore Rd. E.)
What the Michelin inspectors said: “Pasta is a highlight, like corn agnolotti with Manchego, but so too is the short rib. And for dessert, cheesecake is surprisingly light and savory thanks to strawberries and a nutty almond cookie.”
The Michelin inspectors said the 'pasta was a highlight' at Hexagon in Oakville, Ont.Supplied
Pearl Morissette
Type of cuisine: Contemporary
Chefs: Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson
Region: Jordan Station in Niagara (3953 Jordan Rd.)
What the Michelin inspectors said: “With great pride for Canadian ingredients and respect for the seasons, Chefs Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson make the most of their surroundings to enhance their spontaneous tasting menu’s dishes, as in free-range pork, slow roasted over a peach wood fire, glazed with sweet potato miso, and plated with hazelnut jus.”
The Pine
Type of cuisine: Chinese contemporary
Chef: Jeremy Austin
Region: Creemore (7535 County Rd. 9)
What the Michelin inspectors said: “A meal here draws on authentic flavors delivered with striking creativity and conviction on an ever-evolving menu. A gorgeous tea egg kicks things off; the Sichuan-favorite dried fried string beans arrive as a cold salad; and the carrot jiaozi is a delightful dumpling.”
The Pine serves Chinese contemporary cuisine in Creemore, Ont.Supplied
The Bib Gourmands
The Michelin guide inspectors also found four new restaurants worthy of the Bib Gourmand designation. This award recognizes “good quality, good value restaurants” where diners can have two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for less than US$50.
Berkeley North
Type of cuisine: Contemporary
Chef: James MacAdam
Region: Hamilton (31 King William St.)
Conejo Negro
Type of cuisine: Carribbean, Creole and Latin fusion
Chef: Alycia Wahn
Neighbourhood: Little Italy (838 College St.)
Guru Lukshmi
Type of cuisine: South Indian
Owners: Thana Lakshmi Guru, Kumar Gurutharan Nala and Nishaa Guru
Region: Mississaugua (7070 St. Barbara Blvd.)
Rasa
Type of cuisine: Contemporary
Chef: Adrian Niman
Neighbourhood: Harbord Village (196 Robert St.)